Granite Mountain Hotshots part of nation's elite

Members of the Granite Mountain Hot Shots shared a common bond of hard work and arduous adventure. (Source: Connor Radnovich)

(Source: City of Prescott)

PRESCOTT, AZ (CBS5) -

Members of the Granite Mountain Hotshots shared a common bond of hard work and arduous adventure, according to the city of Prescott.

Eighteen members of the team were killed Sunday while battling a 2,000-acre wildfire fueled by hot and dry conditions near the central Arizona town of Yarnell. It's not known where the 19th victim was based.

"We're devastated," said Prescott Fire Chief Dan Fraijo. "We just lost 19 of the finest people you'll ever meet. We're in crisis."

The team had its start as a mitigation crew in 2002. In 2004, Crew 7 was formed. Then in 2008, it transitioned into an elite Hotshot community.

"This crew travels all over the U.S.," said wildfire consultant Eric Neitzel on Monday morning. "They are actually a national resource. They are one of 100 hotshots dispatched out of Boise, ID, not just locally."

According to the city, team members were routinely exposed to extreme environmental conditions and long work hours accomplishing the most demanding of fireline tasks.

Problem solving, teamwork, ability to make decisions in a stressful environment and being nice were attributes of the crew members, the city said.

The nature of their work required members to endure physical hardships beyond most people's experiences, the city said.

"These firefighters were killed in what is probably worst disaster that has taken place in wildland history in Arizona," Fraijo said. "We grieve for the families, we grieve for the department, we grieve for the city."

August of 2011, Amy Tonguis made a frantic call to 911 after her husband, Benjamin Tonguis, found their 9-day-old in the freezer. Originally, police say Amy told investigators she must have done it. But, as questioning went on, police say the parents pointed the blame at each other.

August of 2011, Amy Tonguis made a frantic call to 911 after her husband, Benjamin Tonguis, found their 9-day-old in the freezer. Originally, police say Amy told investigators she must have done it. But, as questioning went on, police say the parents pointed the blame at each other.

The state Agriculture Commissioner said today that the LSU AgCenter expects to start cloning cannabis from larger “mother” plants in June to create medical marijuana. Dr. Mike Strain, who heads the agriculture and forestry department, said his agency had received $80,000 from an LSU vendor to begin harvesting tissue for the state’s medical marijuana operation. Medical marijuana is not funded in next year’s state budget, which starts on July 1st. So the de...More >>

The state Agriculture Commissioner said today that the LSU AgCenter expects to start cloning cannabis from larger “mother” plants in June to create medical marijuana. Dr. Mike Strain, who heads the agriculture and forestry department, said his agency had received $80,000 from an LSU vendor to begin harvesting tissue for the state’s medical marijuana operation. Medical marijuana is not funded in next year’s state budget, which starts on July 1st. So the de...More >>

It's been nearly a year since a young teacher at Lagrange High School was arrested under suspicion of inappropriately touching a student. Charges have since been rejected, but 32 year old Raymond Johnson says he’s still suffering the consequences. Johnson loved his job teaching at Lagrange High School. But then he was arrested after allegations of indecent behavior with a juvenile, which he says are not true. Johnson's life changed dramatically... "Last...

It's been nearly a year since a young teacher at Lagrange High School was arrested under suspicion of inappropriately touching a student. Charges have since been rejected, but 32 year old Raymond Johnson says he’s still suffering the consequences. Johnson loved his job teaching at Lagrange High School. But then he was arrested after allegations of indecent behavior with a juvenile, which he says are not true. Johnson's life changed dramatically... "Last...

The District attorney's office has released Amy Tonguis' 911 phone call, reporting that she found her baby in a freezer. Tristan Tonguis, a 9-day old baby, died from being in the freezer. Amy and Benjamin Tonguis, the baby's father, blamed each other for the death. To this day, the case remains unsolved. Copyright 2018 KPLC. All rights reserved.

The District attorney's office has released Amy Tonguis' 911 phone call, reporting that she found her baby in a freezer. Tristan Tonguis, a 9-day old baby, died from being in the freezer. Amy and Benjamin Tonguis, the baby's father, blamed each other for the death. To this day, the case remains unsolved. Copyright 2018 KPLC. All rights reserved.

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One man living in south Lake Charles said he has concerns about a culvert near the Ham Reid Nelson Road Roundabout. Paul Theriot, who lives nearby, said since the roundabout opened he's seen at least five cars end up in his yard with flat tires. Theriot said he doesn't actually have a problem with the roundabout however. "When they go around the circle and go to straighten out, they're being distracted from either texting or the I-Phone and they're not paying attention and the...